Chinook Force in Afghanistan

Based at RAF Odiham, Hampshire, the RAF’s Chinook Force’s three squadrons deploy their personnel to Kandahar Airfield to operate the heavy-lift helicopter in support of coalition forces. Earlier this year, Sqn Ldr Dylan Eklund joined the crew of a RAF Chinook on a typical mission in Helmland Province, Afghanistan.

Dawn mission

It’s 03.30hrs and I feel bitterly cold as I leave the warmth of the operations building to walk across the pan. Ahead, silhouetted against the runway lights beyond, is a line of RAF Chinook HC.2 helicopters waiting patiently for another’s days flying.

Once on board the crew of four – pilot, co-pilot and two Air Loadmasters - go about their business with practiced efficiently. A distinctive whine precedes the slow turn of the huge rotor blades and once up to speed the queue of heavily laden US Army infantry waiting patiently are called forward and sit in the rows of seats on either side of the cabin.

With dawn breaking we receive clearance from Air Traffic Control to taxi and depart Kandahar. Without delay we are airborne, heading to our first destination, a remote base high in the mountains.

Low level

The initial transit is uneventful but as we near our destination we drop to low level and the temperature increases in more ways than one. Skimming across the barren terrain, dry riverbeds and the walled compounds so familiar from TV News reports, I hold on tight as the pilot jinks the Chinook left and right. The big helicopter is surprisingly nimble and we rapidly change direction before flaring at the helicopter-landing pad.

Having discharged our stick of troops and picked up another, the exciting approach to the base is replicated on our departure. Climbing to altitude any thoughts that is a routine part of the mission are dispelled when, without warning, the cabin lights up in a bright orange glow. Reacting automatically, the defensive aids on the Chinook have launched flares to divert any incoming missile. On this occasion it is a false alarm but to uninitiated passengers it comes as a surprise.

Having refuelled we leave Kandahar again and fly over the Red Desert toward Camp Bastion where the Chinook accompanying us takes on board a casualty with attending medics before lifting a four-wheel drive vehicle as an under slung load, illustrating perfectly the versatility of this amazing aircraft.

MERT

To our right, another Chinook standing alert departs quickly. Aboard is a Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) who will treat casualties on their return to the field hospital at Bastion. The MERTs are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ready to respond to any injuries that UK and coalition troops may suffer on the front line.

My thoughts are with those involved in the unfolding drama as we approach the British base in Lash Kagar. As we fly over the densely-populated area the eyes of the crewmen scan the buildings below, hands poised on weapons. Fortunately we pass unhindered and land safely. With new passengers quickly aboard we return to Kandahar. The crew have been flying all day during which time we have landed several times and ferried more than 150 troops.

After the mission, pilot Flight Lieutenant Greg Lloyd Davies praised the helicopter. ‘The Chinook is a powerful aircraft and so is suited to operations out here. At this time of year [February], we can lift a five tonne payload. Indeed, today we lifted a 4.5 tonne Toyota Landcruiser together with passengers and then brought a casualty back which illustrates the versatility of the helicopter.’

The work goes on

For the crew this was a normal mission in a far from normal environment. The following morning the same crews were up early again preparing for that day’s mission. Over the past year 1310 Flight at Kandahar has carried 82,316 troops, 6188 tonnes of food, ammunition and fuel and extracted 1976 casualties, all in a hostile environment.

What the Chinook stands for is perhaps best summed up by Group Captain Andy Turner, Station Commander of RAF Odiham and the Commander of the Chinook Force. ‘The unmistakeable chest thumping of the Chinook rotors at speed is as motivating to the Helmland Task Force as it is frightening to the Taliban. Below the horizon, essential, but unsung, the Chinook Force’s contribution is crucial.’